Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C7/00—Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
  • A47C7/50—Supports for the feet or the legs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C17/00—Sofas; Couches; Beds
  • A47C17/04—Seating furniture, e.g. sofas, couches, settees, or the like, with movable parts changeable to beds; Chair beds
  • A47C17/13—Seating furniture having non-movable backrest changeable to beds by increasing the available seat part, e.g. by drawing seat cushion forward
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47C—CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
  • A47C19/00—Bedsteads
  • A47C19/12—Folding bedsteads
  • A47C19/14—Folding bedsteads of the lazy-tongs type

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a pantographic support control mechanism and specifically to a mechanism for controlling a support surface associated with a pantographic mechanism.
• the mechanism finds use with furniture and will be described primarily with reference to its use in convertible sofa beds, but it should be appreciated that the invention has much wider application.
• the invention can find application with cupboards, armchairs, cabinets etc and, in addition, may find application beyond that of furniture .
• Pantographic mechanisms for use with furniture are known.
• the mechanisms are primarily used to transform a piece of furniture from one function into another function, usually the latter function being that of a bed.
• the pantographic mechanism is stored in a contracted position within the furniture piece in its primary function, and is released therefrom and moved into an extended position to transform the furniture piece into a second function (eg. as a bed, footrest, etc) .
• a second function eg. as a bed, footrest, etc
• a plurality of transverse support planks or slats mounted to the mechanism may be brought into a horizontal orientation.
• the resulting upper surface then forms the basis of a support surface for a mattress, cushion (s) etc.
• Existing arrangements require the fastening of the support planks to and between respective arms of a pantographic linkage in a constrained manner so that in the extended position the support planks move into the horizontal orientation.
• the present invention provides a pantographic support control mechanism for use with furniture including: one or more pantographic linkages, the or each linkage being mounted between forward and rearward ends such that extension of the linkage (s) causes relative movement of the forward and rearward ends away from each other whereas contraction of the linkage (s) causes relative movement of the forward and rearward ends towards each other; one or more support means being pivotally mounted with respect to and at or near respectively one or more of the pantographic linkages; and one or more corresponding urging means, each arranged to act between a pantographic linkage and a respective support means in a manner such that extension of the or each linkage causes the or each urging means to respectively act on its respective support means to cause it to pivot from an inoperative position to an operative position.
• the or each support means can be readily detached from the pantographic mechanism (eg. by employing a releasable pivotal mounting) for the purpose of replacement, repair etc.
• the urging means can function to stabilise the support means in the operative position (eg. where the support means incorporates support slats forming a sofa-bed support surface for a mattress, the urging means can function to stabilise this support surface in use) .
• Figure 1 shows a side elevation detail of one preferred pantographic support control mechanism - - according to the invention
• Figure 2 shows a side elevation detail of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention.
• Figure 3 shows a side elevation of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention, similar in principle to the arrangement shown in Figure 1, and when used on a sofa-bed and in the extended position;
• Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the mechanism of Figure 3, but when in the contracted position;
• FIG. 5 shows a side elevation detail of another preferred pantographic support control mechanism according to the invention, and similar in principle to the mechanism of Figure 2, but without the employment of support posts;
• Figures 6 , 7 and 8 show respectively side, front and plan detail elevations of the mechanism of Figure 5 when in the contracted position;
• Figure 9 shows a front detail of the mechanism of Figures 5 to 8 when employed in a sofa-bed mechanism;
• Figures 10 and 11 show respectively side and front detail elevations of a mechanism similar to Figures 3 and 4, but provided with roller feet.
• FIG. 1 a side elevation of a first embodiment of a pantographic support control mechanism is shown. Specifically, the mechanism is adapted for erecting the support surface and stabilising this support surface in the erected position.
• a most preferred application of this type of arrangement is in sofa-bed mechanisms, where the support surface is horizontally arranged and defines the horizontal bed support upon which a mattress can be arranged.
• the support control mechanism can also be used in other applications
• a support mechanism 10 includes a support means in the form of a modified bracket 12 supporting a plank or slat 14.
• a pantographic linkage 16 includes a plurality of arms 18 pivotally coupled to other arms at intermediate pivot point 20 and lower and upper end pivot points 22,24.
• the lower pivot points 22 are each mounted to a respective upright in the form of support post 26; (the lefthand support post is denoted 26 and the righthand support post is denoted 26') .
• the upper pivot points 24 each have a transverse pin 27 projecting therefrom for sliding receipt within a slot 28 formed in each support post.
• the righthand support post 26' is shown in two positions, the leftmost position corresponding to the collapsed form of the pantographic linkage (where arms 18 are shown in dotted outline) and the rightmost position corresponding to the extended form of the pantographic linkage (with the arms 18 shown in hard outline) .
• the leftmost position corresponding to the collapsed form of the pantographic linkage where arms 18 are shown in dotted outline
• the rightmost position corresponding to the extended form of the pantographic linkage with the arms 18 shown in hard outline
• the modified bracket 12 has an urging means in the form of integral arm section 30 extending therefrom.
• the modified bracket is pivotally mounted to a respective support post via pivot screw 32.
• a second slot 34 is formed in the arm section 30 and extends from the pivot screw towards the free end of arm section 30; the second slot also has a kinked portion 36.
• the second slot is adapted for sliding receipt of pin 27 therethrough (pin 27 projecting both inwardly into slot 28 and outwardly into second slot 34) .
• the tilted down position A of the modified bracket 12 corresponds to the collapsed position of the pantographic linkage where pin 27 is positioned at the top of slot 28 and in- the unkinked portion of second slot 34.
• the pm 27 travels downwardly in slot 28 and also into the kinked portion 36 of second slot 34, at the same time causing the modified bracket to pivot about pivot screw 32 to be urged into position B, (this direction of pivoting being indicated by arrow P in Figure 1) .
• a similar occurrence is achieved for each successive modified bracket on each successive support post .
• the support control mechanism when employed in a sofa-bed can provide structural stability for a wide variation in user weight and usage.
• FIG. 2 a partial side elevation of an alternative pantographic support control mechanism is shown. Like reference numerals will be used to describe similar or like parts to those of Figure 1.
• a modified support post 38 is provided in the alternative support control mechanism 10' . This support post
• the slat 14 is pivotally mounted to the support post 38 at a pivot point 90 via a support means in the form of bracket 92. Each slat can be mounted to the bracket 92 via conventional screws etc as shown. The slat 14 can be pivoted about vertical strut 38 as indicated by arrow P. Pivotally mounted to and extending between bracket 92 and lower pivot point 22 is an urging means in the form of coupling arm 94.
• the contracted form of the arms 18 is shown in dotted outline and the extended form of arms 18 is shown in hard outline.
• lower pivot point 22 slides upwardly in a groove 40 formed in post 38 (eg. by providing a projecting lug or pin from pivot point 22 that slides within groove 40) .
• this extension post 38 is also displaced to the right, as facilitated by a roller 96, which rolls over the ground generally indicated as G.
• Coupling arm 94 is selected to be of a stiff inflexible material so that as the lower pivot point 22 is caused to move upwardly during linkage extension.
• the coupling arm is also caused to move upwardly and acts upon the bracket to cause it to pivot in the direction indicated by arrow P.
• the mounting of coupling arm 94 to the bracket also travels in a similar manner (as indicated by arrow T) .
• T the mounting of coupling arm 94 to the bracket.
• a stable arrangement of the slats 14 is achieved because each is maintained generally horizontal through the action of the coupling arms on respective brackets. Also, if it is desired to remove the support slats for replacement, repair etc, this can be readily and easily facilitated using the arrangement shown.
• the travel of lower pivot point 22 can be arrested at the upper end of groove 40 by providing a short laterally (ie. sideways) extending groove portion and respective notch fixing formation (not shown) that is adapted for receiving in a releasable manner, a lug or pin projecting from pivot coupling 22 and that would be received therein when the mechanism is displaced to the extended position.
• This additional feature further enhances the stability of the slats 14 when in the upper or raised position by providing a locking function against any generally downwards force exerted by a user - - on the support slats.
• the mechanism 10 includes modified bracket 12 supporting plank 14.
• the pantographic linkage 16 includes a plurality of arms 18 pivotally coupled to other arms at intermediate pivot points 20 and lower and upper end pivot points 22, 24.
• the mechanism is shown in a sofa-bed 100 that has a mattress 102 supported thereon, and the mechanism extends between front plate 104 and rear plate 106, with the rear plate being mounted to and/or integral with the frame of the sofa-bed 100.
• the embodiment of Figures 3 and 4 is differentiated over that in Figure 1, in that upper end pivot point 24 is not mounted and is freely movable with respect to support post 26.
• each upper pivot point 24 is positioned generally below pivot screw 32 (ie. the screw that pivotally connects bracket 12 to the support post 26) .
• each upper pivot point has been moved upwardly to a position generally above its respective pivot screw 32.
• This movement of the upper pivot point causes each bracket 12 to pivot around pivot screw 32 from the generally upright position shown in Figure 3, to the generally collapsed position shown in Figure 4 (ie. the upper pivot point acts on the arm section 30 of its respective bracket to cause it to pivot around pivot screw 32) .
• the arrangement of Figures 3 and 4 provides a pivoting of the support bracket where the employment of slots in support posts 26 are not required.
• bracket 12 and/or the upper pivot point 24 can be provided with a projecting flange or lug (not shown) to engage with (and optionally lock against) its respective support post 26 when m the upright position shown in Figure 3. This can serve to lock the mechanism in a predetermined extended position (if desired) .
• the shaping and formation of the bracket 12 of Figures 3 and 4 is such that each can nest with adjacent brackets to assume the compact collapsed formation as shown in Figure 4.
• tubular braces 108 can be employed that extend transversely across from and between parallel sofa-bed mechanisms (ie. between parallel linkages) .
• Each tubular brace 108 is shown mounted to and extending between respective and opposing support posts 26.
• Equivalent tubular braces 108 are also more clearly shown in the embodiment of Figure 7.
• the tubular braces tend to have an additional stabilising function to the mechanism.
• a linear actuator 109 can also be provided to extend and retract the linkages between the collapsed and extended positions.
• the actuator is mounted to a frame of the sofa-bed 100 and extends therefrom to engage front plate 104.
• the actuator can be electrically powered and remotely activated.
• Figures 3 and 4 enables the mattress 102 to sit on the frame when in both the extended and collapsed positions, thus enabling a sitting mattress 110 to be placed thereover in the collapsed configuration ( Figure 4) for comfortable and easy use by a user.
• FIG. 1 an alternative support mechanism 10 that does not employ a support post 26 is shown; (in other respects, the mechanism is similar to that shown in Figure 2) .
• the mechanism includes an urging means in the form of coupling arm 94 ' .
• Each coupling arm is pivotally connected to a lower pivot point 22 at one end, and at the opposing end to the bracket 12 at support pivot point 112.
• the bracket 12 is pivotally mounted to upper pivot point 24 itself and at a different position from support pivot point 112.
• the lower pivot points 22 are in turn provided with slide footings 114 pivotally mounted thereto, to facilitate sliding of the mechanism across the ground G during extension and contraction thereof.
• each bracket 12 can be shaped such that it assumes a nested arrangement with other brackets in the contracted position (see in particular Figure 6) .
• FIG. 10 and 11 a mechanism 10 similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 4 is shown, however the support posts 26 extend slightly beyond lower pivot points 22 so that rollers 120 can be rotatably mounted to and within brackets 122 fixed to a respective support post . This arrangement eases the movement of the mechanism over supporting surfaces during both extension and-contraction.
• the support slats can be mounted to brackets of different sizes and thus height increases and/or decreases can be achieved without the need to vary the length of the posts 26,38 or the coupling or mounting of the arms 18 to the various supports.
• the length of the coupling arms 94, 94' or arm section 30 can be made to vary (eg. each can be in the form of a gas strut, extendible link, pneumatic or hydraulic ram etc) . This enables the support slat to be brought into the horizontal position earlier or later for different extension positions of the pantographic linkage mechanism.
• a relatively shorter or relatively longer bed may be achievable by varying the length of the coupling arm 94, 94' or arm section 30.
• appropriate arrangements may also be required with respect to the length of various slots and grooves (eg. to increase the upward travel of upper or lower pivot points 22,24, and variations in the coupling arm links may also be required) .
• the components of the pantographic support control mechanism described above can be formed from metals such as aluminium, mild steel etc.
• the components are formed from lightweight but strong plastic materials (eg. such as assisted gas plastics which are strong, light weight and easy to form) .
• Plastic materials are employed to minimise the cost and/or weight of the overall unit (eg. such as at the rollers, in the slats 14, in the brackets at coupling arm 94, arms 18, support posts 26,38 etc) .
• the slats can also be formed from timber as can various other frame components.
• the arrangements thus provide a compact, strong and stable collapsible mechanism, that is easy to use and form/manufacture.

Landscapes

• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Special Chairs (AREA)
• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
• Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
• Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
• Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
• Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
• Transmission Devices (AREA)
• Legs For Furniture In General (AREA)
• Invalid Beds And Related Equipment (AREA)
• Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (3)

Family

ID=3793900

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (18)

Families Citing this family (10)

Family Cites Families (19)

• 1996
  • 1996-04-30 AU AUPN9587A patent/AUPN958796A0/en not_active Abandoned
• 1997
  • 1997-04-28 TW TW089213942U patent/TW512699U/zh unknown
  • 1997-04-29 IL IL12073897A patent/IL120738A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-04-29 ZA ZA9703719A patent/ZA973719B/xx unknown
  • 1997-04-30 EP EP97919188A patent/EP0917434B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-04-30 NZ NZ332442A patent/NZ332442A/xx unknown
  • 1997-04-30 AR ARP970101796A patent/AR006924A1/es unknown
  • 1997-04-30 ID IDP971445A patent/ID17235A/id unknown
  • 1997-04-30 KR KR1019980708646A patent/KR20000065072A/ko not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-04-30 JP JP9538405A patent/JP2000509298A/ja active Pending
  • 1997-04-30 AU AU23746/97A patent/AU711995B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1997-04-30 MY MYPI97001883A patent/MY132636A/en unknown
  • 1997-04-30 CN CN97194762A patent/CN1219113A/zh active Pending
  • 1997-04-30 CO CO97023117A patent/CO4650256A1/es unknown
  • 1997-04-30 US US08/849,649 patent/US5970538A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1997-04-30 AT AT97919188T patent/ATE236555T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1997-04-30 WO PCT/AU1997/000256 patent/WO1997040723A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1997-04-30 DE DE69720733T patent/DE69720733D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1997-04-30 CA CA002207931A patent/CA2207931A1/en not_active Abandoned

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